A Tax Revolt?

In the Maryland legislature.

According to the Examiner O’Malley’s trial balloon for increasing the number of categories of goods and services taxed in Maryland is not being met with hosannas.

The state Senate may not go along with the consensus Gov. Martin O’Malley said he’s finding for “broadening” the state sales tax to cover more services such as vehicle repairs, barbershops and beauty shops.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” said Senate President Thomas Mike Miller, D-Calvert and Prince George’s.

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The majority leader and new vice chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee agreed. “I can’t see that happening,” said Sen. Ed Kasemeyer, D-Baltimore and Howard.

In a state as small as Maryland raising either sales or income taxes to a degree that is not competitive with your neighbors is simply delusional.

Right now many people who work in Maryland live in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. States which stick their hands less deeply into your pockets at every turn than does Maryland.

As Harford and Anne Arundel counties begin to ponder the true extent to which BRACtion is not going to help them out, their legislative delegations should ponder how they are going to attract workers who could easily live in Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Delaware and commute when the key story as they make their home buying choice will be tax increases on everything in sight.